Psalm 107:1-22 and Romans 12:1-2

Today has an amazing conversation with the Rev. Dr. Danny Murphy, the General Presbyter of Trinity Presbytery here in South Carolina—that is Danny is the executive leader for the Presbyterian churches in our region.

Any conversation with Danny is interesting, but today’s is especially engaging. This summer Danny published an article entitled “My Thoughts on George Floyd.” In that article Danny shared accounts of his experiences with police officers as an African-American man. I’ll put a link to that article in the show notes, and really you should go read it! Danny will reflect on the publishing of that article and some of the stories in it about 10 ½ minutes into the interview.

Thanks so much to Danny Murphy for his time and his courage to share his experiences. I was deeply moved by the way Danny framed the conversation in terms of the cross and resurrection.

James Cubie is an ordained minister in the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), with over 12 years ministry experience in small, medium, and large churches. He is the Evangelist for Foundation Presbyterian Church, in Dutch Fork, Irmo, South Carolina - a new church that has been worshipping on Sunday for a little over a year. Foundation Church began Sunday worship in September of 2019, which means they have been "Planting a Church in a Pandemic" since COVID touched down! Come, hear more about this journey of starting and leading a new church, in a difficult season.

Matt Brough has a persistent expectation in the power of God’s Spirit to surprise and inspire the church. Matt Brough has been a pastor of small, faithful congregations for over 15 years-Prairie Presbyterian Church. He has served as the director of Cyclical PCC, a Church Planting support initiative of the Presbyterian Church in Canada, and has hosted the Spirituality for Ordinary People Podcast. Matthew is the author of the “Let God” books and a series of fantasy adventure books for ages eight and up. He lives in Winnipeg, Canada, with his wife, Cheryl, and their daughter, Juliet.

Matt’s web page https://mattbrough.com/

Order his latest book http://www.letgodsend.com/

The order of worship Matt refers to in the podcast

The sermon that Matt preached the Sunday after we spoke.

 If you know someone I should speak with on the Leaders learning podcast, send me an email to [email protected]. You can catch up on all of our conversations at our website leaderslearning.net

God bless, and hope to see you soon, one way or another.

Copyright 2020.

Bob Staton, who is the president of Presbyterian College in Clinton, SC. He is a member of the class of 1968 of Presbyterian College, and has his law degree from the University of South Carolina. Previously, Bob served as the chairman and CEO of Colonial Life Insurance.

Bob has a clear sense of what leadership means—helping people move forward to a place they would not go on their own. Leadership means moving forward. I was particularly interested to hear Bob talk about not getting hung up on every little detail, but to focus on continuing to move forward. Bob sees listening, listening to truly understand as a key element of real life leadership.

Today’s guest is the Rev. Dr. Alice Ridgill. She currently serves as the Associate General Presbytery in Charlotte Presbytery and a chaplain in the U.S. Airforce Reserve. She was the founding pastor of New Faith, the only African American congregation of the Presbyterian Church (USA) in Greenwood County, SC.

Alice is also an amazing preacher and speaker, a great writer.  She is going to share with us examples of the resiliency and creativity of the church, and demonstrate how to find ways care for others as an act of leaders ship. Please check out a full biography on leaderslearning.net

I am so glad to welcome the Reverend, Doctor, Captain Alice Ridgill to Leaders Learning.

If this conversation evoked some thoughts you would like to share with me, or perhaps you know a leader we can learn from, contact me at [email protected]

Recorded July 21, 2020

Her full bio:

Rev. Dr. Alice Ridgill

The Rev. Dr. Alice Ridgill is widely known across the country for her exceptional leadership ability and engaging preaching style. Dr. Ridgill currently serves as Associate General Presbyter of Charlotte Presbytery and as a Chaplain in the United States Air Force Reserve where she holds the rank of Captain. Prior to her current work, she served as the organizing and installed pastor of New Faith Presbyterian Church, a congregation that began as a new worshiping community in 2010. New Faith made history by becoming the first and only African American Presbyterian Church in the entire county of Greenwood, South Carolina. Dr. Ridgill has served also as pastor of Washington Street Presbyterian Church, adjunct professor of pastoral care for Erskine Theological Seminary, and campus pastor of Thornwell, a home and ministry for children in covenant relationship with the churches in South Carolina, Georgia, and Florida of the PC(USA) Synod of South Atlantic.

In 2016, Dr. Ridgill preached before the 222nd General Assembly in Portland, Oregon, where her thought-provoking sermon "Difference Makers" was met with critical acclaim. She preached also during the 2016 Youth Triennium where her message "God is FUN." was enthusiastically received and broadly shared on social media. Dr. Ridgill’s past service to the larger church includes: Chair of the Committee on Representation for the Synod of South Atlantic, Presbyterians Caring for Chaplains and Military Personnel Board of Directors, and the Presbyterian Mission Agency Board of Directors. 

Devoted to life-long learning, Dr. Ridgill holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Presbyterian College, a Master of Divinity and Doctor of Ministry degree from Erskine Theological Seminary, a Certificate in Executive Leadership from McCormick Theological Seminary, and an MBA from Louisiana State University (Shreveport). She is the author of "Maximizing the Meantime: Feasting on God in Times of Famine", an inspirational book written to assist readers with navigating the unpredictable and uncomfortable interim between now and next.

Committed to making a positive impact on the world, Dr. Ridgill has wholeheartedly dedicated her life to sharing the good news of God’s grace and love with all people. Her personal motto is:

“If I can help somebody as I travel along my way,

then my living will not be in vain.”

Copyright 2020

Clear headed and plain spoken, Elizabeth directly calls the church to take action to address racism in the name of Christ. She also has a powerful word of encouragement for us from Jesus’ own words.

Elizabeth Brookens-Sturman is the founding pastor of Brambleton Presbyterian Church in Brambleton, Virginia—suburb of Washington DC. Elizabeth is a remarkably focused leader. When I met Elizabeth 15 years ago, she was intent on sharing the Good News of Jesus and on helping people mature in faith; she continues with that same focus today. She has served congregations in Berkely, CA and Bethlehem, PA.

Recorded July 22, 2020. Copyright 2020